Local shires will this week receive a further $5 million from the Federal Government to spend on local roads, services and infrastructure.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the payment was part of Gippsland’s annual allocation of $40 million made under the Financial Assistance Grants program shared between Latrobe City, Wellington and East Gippsland shires.
“The Coalition Government made a decision to bring forward these payments to allow councils to start work straight away on new projects; and to benefit from additional interest on cash in the bank,” Mr Chester said.
“Local shires will receive $40 million under the Financial Assistance Grants program for the 2018-19 financial year. Half was paid directly to councils by July 1, 2018, and the rest will be paid in quarterly instalments.
“This funding is particularly important for regional councils, with vast amounts of roads and assets to upgrade and maintain.
“Councils can spend the allocation on infrastructure projects or services, according to their local needs.”
In addition, Gippsland will receive its annual allocation of $8.1 million from Roads to Recovery for local road upgrades.
Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government John McVeigh said the Financial Assistance Grants provided funding directly to council to spend on priority areas including health, recreation, environment, employment and roads projects.
“These grants are untied which means councils across Australia can spend their funding based on their own priorities and deliver the infrastructure and services their communities need,” Mr McVeigh said.
“The Coalition Government also supports local councils through a range of other targeted funding programs including Roads to Recovery, Bridges Renewal, the Building Better Regions Fund and the Regional Growth Fund.”
